Concordia University of Edmonton is deeply rooted in its choral traditions. Choirs have traditionally been an integral part of CUE and continue to be the mainstay of the School of Music.

All our choirs are conducted by our Director of Choirs, Dr. Joy Berg. While Joy is on sabbatical in the 2018-19 year, we are pleased to welcome Jolaine Kerley (Bella Voce Concordia), Debbie Rice and Evelyn Grieger (Concordia Community Chorus), and Jordan Van Biert (Concordia Concert Choir) as choral conductors.

Bella Voce Concordia

Bella Voce is composed of women from the Concordia Concert Choir, other students, and the Community Chorus, as well as members of the wider Concordia community. Bella Voce is conducted this year by Jolaine Kerley.

Concordia Community Chorus

The Community Chorus is a 100-voice non-auditioned choral ensemble, directed this year by Debbie Rice (fall term) and Evelyn Grieger (winter term). The Chorus is open to both CUE students and to members of the community. There is also an opportunity to hold auditions for Chamber Choir within the group.

The repertoire of the choir is varied, from works with orchestra to lighter classics and seasonal favourites. The performance schedule includes annual participation in the Sacred Music Festival (October), a Christmas Concert (December), singing at the Legislature (December), and a spring concert (April). The chorus has sung at the Alberta Music Conference, toured throughout Austria in the summer of 2009 and Germany in the summer of 2013, and sung at Carnegie Hall in New York in 2005 and 2015.

Concordia Concert Choir

The Concordia Concert Choir, conducted this year by Jordan Van Biert, is part of the academic program at Concordia University of Edmonton. This mixed choral ensemble is composed of twenty-five to forty auditioned singers of university age from various disciplines and interests. Auditions and registration usually occur in the fall, but occasionally happen in the spring or summer.

The choir regularly performs on campus for concerts, chapel services, and special events, as well as throughout the Edmonton area. In addition, the Concert Choir has sung at professional music and educational conferences, such as the Alberta Music Conference, the Alberta Teachers’ Association Conference, and church-related conferences and gatherings, including the Lutheran Church–Canada national and regional conventions.

The choir also spends a significant amount of time on tour, singing in churches, schools, or community venues. In addition to Canada-wide appearances, the choir has also performed in England, Germany, Scandinavia, and the United States. In the spring of 2014 the Choir toured Brazil, and in spring 2017 France and Germany in connection with three anniversaries–the Battle of Vimy Ridge (100), Confederation of Canada (150), and the Reformation (500).

The literature of the choir includes a wide range of styles and genres that provide an opportunity for vocal growth, musical education, and spiritual nurturing. The focus has been on sacred a cappella music, from historical traditions to the present day. A variety of rhythmic, melodic, harmonic and timbral resources create interesting and diverse programs. New works and compositions by Canadians are regularly included in the repertoire.